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Dear friends and neighbors on the Iron Range,
I can’t believe October is nearly over, but it is an exciting time here on the Range. As you will see from the contents of this newsletter, we just wrapped up hosting a huge competition that has been in the works for quite some time: The Pan Continental Curling Championships. It has been a pleasure to help facilitate this competition and watch the action!
Kicking off the Pan Continental Curling Championships
Early last week, we commenced the US Steel Pan Continental Curling Championships at the Iron Trail Motor Event Center with the opening ceremony. Professionals from 23 countries gathered to kick off an incredible eight days of competition, with forty teams taking to the ice to represent their nations. As you can see from the photos, there really are teams from all across the globe!
This world-class event was made possible through strong local partnerships and sponsors, including (title sponsor) United States Steel, Iron Range Resources, NewRange Copper Nickel, Park State Bank, and many others whose support helped bring this international competition to the Iron Range.
Maria and I took advantage of the opportunity to spectate a few times during the week, and it was a blast! We enjoyed watching the competition, and seeing team members cheer one another on from the stands.
I was honored to help present the awards at the Pan Continental Curling Championships on Sunday, recognizing China as champions of the women’s division and Canada as champions of the men’s division! The athletes showed exceptional talent and sportsmanship, and 23 countries brought incredible energy to the Iron Range. Thank you to World Curling, USA Curling, Curl Mesabi, our volunteers, sponsors, and the community for making this event a major success. It was a proud moment for our region, and we look forward to welcoming these competitors back in the future.
Showcasing the Range
My one volunteer opportunity for Curl Mesabi was to host Matt Haughn of Mountainous Media for a full day tour across the Range, capturing footage that was used during the Pan Continental Curling Championships. We spent the day showcasing some of the region’s most iconic sights, from the Leonidas Overlook and the Bruce Mine Headframe to the Senator David Tomassoni Bridge of Peace and the Hull Rust Mine View. Along the way, we enjoyed great local stops like Kunnari’s Farm Market restaurant for lunch and the Thirsty Moose for dinner. It was a full and rewarding day highlighting the beauty, history, and community pride that make the Range such a special place to call home. Thanks to all who gave suggestions of stops we should make!
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Steel Market Update
Mid-October, I traveled to Davenport, Iowa, with a group that included Iron Range Resources staff members Jason Janisch and Ryan Malich, along with Senator Keri Heintzeman, to take part in a steel industry workshop hosted by Steel Market Update. The sessions provided valuable insights into current market conditions and trends impacting iron and steel production. A highlight of the trip was touring SSAB’s Electric Arc Furnace steel mill, where we learned more about how different types of steel are produced and the evolving technologies shaping the industry. It was an excellent opportunity to strengthen relationships, expand knowledge, and explore how we can continue to add value to Iron Range products and support the future of Minnesota’s mining economy.
Visiting Essentia Health-Virginia
Thank you to Sam Stone, Vice President of Operations at Essentia Health–Virginia, and the many staff who welcomed Senator Rob Farnsworth and me for a tour of the facility. It was a great opportunity to see firsthand the impressive work being done to support patients and strengthen regional healthcare.
The visit coincided with the Laurentian Chamber of Commerce’s “Business After Hours” event, which brought together local business owners and community leaders for an evening of connection and conversation. The food, hospitality, and turnout were excellent. Thanks to everyone who helped make it such a successful event.
Fighting for our Female Athletes
Attention school board members:
Many of you have likely heard about the growing letter urging the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) and the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) to comply with Title IX. This effort has gained strong momentum, with 296 school board members from 117 districts already signed on. Their message is clear: protect student safety, preserve fairness in athletics, and safeguard millions of dollars in federal funding for our schools.
If you serve on a local school board, you can join this important effort by adding your name to the letter. Visit www.titleixmn.com to read the full text and submit your name to show your support.
Please consider sharing this information with other board members who care about ensuring a level playing field for Minnesota’s students and maintaining compliance with federal law. Together, we can protect our girls, their sports, and the vital funding our schools depend on.
Meeting with MN Council on Disability
I met with the Minnesota Council on Disability in Hibbing for a productive discussion on how we can better support people with disabilities in our region. We talked specifically about the importance of maintaining subminimum wage options through 14c certificates, which allow individuals to access employment that fits their abilities and needs.
Thank you to Joel, Ginger, and Linda for sharing their insights and for the ongoing work they do on behalf of the disability community.
Star of the North’s Chili Cookoff
My family and I had a great time at this year’s Star of the North Maternity Home chili cook-off fundraiser. It was a full house with plenty of good food and strong community support. Thank you to the organizers, volunteers, local businesses who donated food and auction items, and everyone who helped make the event a success for such an important local resource.
Hibbing MDI Tour
Thank you to Jeanne, Andrew, and Todd for an excellent and informative tour of the Hibbing MDI facility. It was a valuable opportunity to see firsthand the quality and care that goes into each product they manufacture. MDI continues to be an important employer and partner in our region, and I appreciate the role they play in strengthening our local economy. Their mission to provide employment, training, and opportunities for career advancement to workers needing special accommodations is truly inspiring! I look forward to following their continued success and seeing more innovative work in Grand Rapids as well.
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Please Contact Me
Please continue to reach out if I can be of any assistance to you. The best method is to use my email – I am rarely near the office phone, but that number is 651.296.0170 and you can try me there too.
Have a great weekend!
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